For spring break this year, six of my sorority sisters and I volunteered at Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee, Florida. Give Kids the World is a non-profit resort where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families are treated to a cost-free vacation. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. We volunteered on Monday for 11 hours, Wednesday for seven hours, and Thursday for six hours. There were many different areas in the village where we could volunteer. One night we stayed and helped out with the 30 year anniversary party! It was so much fun.
My favorite shift while I was down there was working at the castle they have in the village. In the castle, they have stars for every wish child that has come to the village since the early 90s. The child gets to come into the castle, make a star, and watch the fairy named Stellar take their star to hang up somewhere in the castle before they leave. They can come back right before they leave to see what galaxy in the castle Stellar put their star in. There is also a Pillow Tree where the child and their siblings get to use love to grow a special pillow just for them. On one of my first days there, a family who vacationed at the village came back so they could see their star. Once we found the star they wanted to see pictures from their trip. They came the first time in 2011 when their daughter was ill. She is now about 9 years old and to see the transformation from when she was vacationing there to now brought tears to my eyes. It was amazing to see how happy she is now and how much healthier she is.
On Tuesday we didn't have any shifts, so we decided it would be a great day to go to Magic Kingdom! It was a great bonding moment for us as sisters. The seven of us went down there as friends, but now we have a different kind of bond. My chapter as a whole is a great group of girls, and they would bend over backwards for any of the sisters. These girls have a special place in my heart. They are the most selfless people I have ever met. Instead of going somewhere tropical or staying home (Both are fine. Don't get me wrong, I stayed home last spring break) they gave up their time to make sure these kids had an amazing experience.
I believe that everyone should go on an alternative break trip whether it be in the winter, spring, or summer. It is an experience that can't be explained; it has to be lived. It is rewarding, tiring, fun, exciting and so much more. You will go to where you decided to volunteer as one person and come back a completely different one. The feeling you get when you know you made someone's day is unreal. The only way I can describe it is warming. When you finally see a child smile for the first time you feel your heart warm up. It was one of the highlights of my trip. Yes, going to Disney with my sisters was extremely fun, but I can go to Disney again if I want. I could also volunteer again but not with the same children. If you ever get the chance to volunteer with people, animals or anything else take that chance. I promise you will not regret it.
If you would like to get involved in one of these trips, Bridgewater State University has many to choose from! Always check the student announcements and the involvement network. If Bridgewater doesn't have one you are interested in, you can always do what we did and plan one on your own.
All images in this article are the property of Ashley Singarella. For permissions, please contact the author.
